The footballing gods, perhaps believing that the hubris of the entire PSG squad rinsing a 19-year-old Erling Braut Håland was a bit much, intervened, however, and a campaign where Thomas Tuchel finally looked to be putting everything together has been put dramatically on hold by the outbreak of the coronavirus.
PSG, who were fairly likely to end the season with yet another domestic treble, might have to face a rude awakening from their dream this summer, with several high-profile players looking for a way out from Paris, and an eclectic squad needing a minor refresh.
Here’s a look at how this refresh might shape up in an ideal world…
Transfers In
The top priority for PSG will be defensive reinforcements with much of an ageing back line set to leave the club this summer, while offensive additions are also likely as Les Parisiens seek to keep their imposing front four as fresh as possible.
Alex Telles – Recent reports show that PSG are likely to gazump Chelsea in the race for the fullback with the golden left foot. £22m
Kalidou Koulibaly – With Thiago Silva’s future uncertain, PSG may find themselves urgently having to inject some experience into their squad, and a cut-price deal for the Senegalese centre-back would be just the ticket. £70m
Mauro Icardi – It’s been a solid start to life in Paris for the Argentine on loan from Inter Milan, and it seems likely that PSG will attempt to exercise the optional clause in his contract with Edinson Cavani set to end his seven-year stint at the club. £60m
André Onana – With a relatively cheap £35m price tag on his head, the Cameroonian keeper, who is great with his feet, will be one of the hottest properties in Europe this summer, and PSG will almost certainly be leading the pack. £35m
Kyle Walker – Not a name extensively linked with Les Parisiens, but if Manchester City’s Champions League ban is upheld, who knows whether the right-back could be available as part of a fire sale? Would be a real tonic to PSG’s woes in that department. £25m
Ousmane Dembélé – Excuse some lateral thinking here but Barcelona’s exciting winger could really soften the blow of losing Neymar if included with cash as part of a deal for the Brazilian. Swap deal for Neymar
Eduardo Camavinga – The arrival of this once-in-a-generation midfielder would be the cherry on the icing on the cake if PSG had a little cash left over, providing Marco Verratti with some quality support in midfield. £50m
Potential Spend: £212m (without Camavinga) or £262m (with Camavinga)
Camavinga or no Camavinga, PSG will need to put their money where their mouth is this summer.
Transfers Out
This is where it gets a little messy, with quite a lot of PSG’s squad set to leave, so even in this dream scenario they might have to be slightly realistic about who stays and who goes.
Layvin Kurzawa – The full-back has been surplus to requirements for some time at PSG and will almost definitely depart this summer. Free
Thomas Meunier – Likewise, the Belgian is a near certainty to leave for pastures new during this window, with Borussia Dortmund reported to have made contact with the defender. Free
Edinson Cavani – Free transfers really are like buses aren’t they… It looks like the end of the road for Cavani at PSG, who couldn’t secure a move to Atlético Madrid in January, but you can’t argue with the shift he’s put in. Free
Thiago Silva – There’s nothing dreamy about this, but given the Brazilian and PSG have been at contractual loggerheads for some time, his departure might be a silver lining in convincing wonderkid Tanguy Kouassi to sign a new contract. Free
Neymar – ‘I thought this was supposed to be a Dream Transfer Window!’, PSG fans might cry, but this could be the compromise which allows Kylian Mbappé to escape Real Madrid’s clutches for another season. Ousmane Dembélé plus £70m
Alphonse Areola – PSG could raise a bit of cash by shifting the keeper to Real Madrid, where he is currently on loan. £30m
Potential Sales: £100m
Keeping youngsters Kouassi and Adil Aouchiche at the club could be one of the biggest boosts in the window for PSG, with the likes of RB Leipzig and… Leeds United (?) reportedly circling.
The most emphatic success they could hope for is, however, retaining the services of Mbappé, who will elevate them to the status of Champions League contenders for many years to come.
Full First-Team Squad for 2020/21 in a Dream Scenario (inc. Squad Numbers)
| 1. | Andre Onana |
| 2. | Kalidou Koulibaly |
| 3. | Presnel Kimpembe |
| 4. | Thilo Kehrer |
| 5. | Marquinhos |
| 6. | Marco Verratti |
| 7. | Kylian Mbappé |
| 8. | Leandro Paredes |
| 9. | Mauro Icardi |
| 10. | Ousmane Dembélé |
| 11. | Angel Di Maria |
| 12. | Kyle Walker |
| 13. | Eduardo Camavinga |
| 14. | Juan Bernat |
| 16. | Sergio Rico |
| Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting | |
| 19. | Pablo Sarabia |
| 20. | Alex Telles |
| 21. | Ander Herrera |
| 22. | Abdou Diallo |
| 23. | Julian Draxler |
| 25. | Mitchel Bakker |
| 27. | Idrissa Gueye |
| 30. | Marcin Bulka |
| 31. | Colin Dagba |
| 35. | Tanguy Kouassi |
| 36. | Loic Mbe Soh |
| 38. | Adil Aouchiche |
| 40. | Garissone Innocent |
Let’